Reena Hosts Fish Fry to Support BASE

Reena Senior Living Center hosted a fish fry on Friday, May 21st to support Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE). The drive thru event served over 450 meals in 2 hours!

Reena recently presented BASE Executive Director and members of BASE a check for $2,600. “We appreciate Reena donating the proceeds from their fish fry to BASE. With their support, we will be able to support kids & families this summer during our wrap around program at Purdy Elementary School ” said Alicia Norris, BASE Executive Director 

BASE offers critical out of school time programs. Currently BASE is accepting applications for the full day summer program. Summer hours are 7:30am-5:30pm starting June 9th-August 20th. BASE also offers after school programs during the school year from 3-6pm in the four public elementary schools. BASE is also open on early release days and select no school days. BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram.

Johnson Financial Group Supports BASE with Corporate & Event Sponsorships

Johnson Financial Group recently made a $2,750 donation to Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) as part of their continued annual corporate & event sponsorship support. Johnson Financial Group has supported BASE for many years with corporate sponsorships and event sponsorships. "We appreciate the continued support of Johnson Financial Group of our out of school time programs and special events. Support of local businesses like this allows us to keep our programs accessible to all kids and our special events successful” Said BASE Executive Director Alicia Norris. 

In addition to using the donation to support kids & families, Johnson Financial Group will be sponsoring BASE’s upcoming Wings & Wheels Drive Thru Breakfast on Sunday, June 6th from 8am-noon at the Fort Atkinson High School. A country- style breakfast prepared by Jones Dairy Farm will feature french toast, Jones sausage & canadian bacon, coffee, juice & milk. All proceeds from this event will support out of school time programs.

BASE is accepting new membership applications for after school and summer programs for kids who are 7 years old and attend one of the Fort Atkinson School District’s elementary schools. The organization operates after school from 3-6pm in the four public elementary schools and offers a full day, 10 week summer program. BASE is also open on early release days and select no school days.

BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE, their special events or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram. 

Trinity Lutheran Church Steps Up to Support BASE

Trinity Lutheran Church is supporting BASE and the kids they serve when they need it most. Amidst a global pandemic, Trinity Lutheran Church opened up their doors back in September to BASE so the organization could run critical virtual learning support programs through December. The all day virtual learning support program helped kids with their online schooling and provided enrichment activities in the afternoon. In addition to providing much needed space for operations, they also recently donated $5,000 to BASE to continue their operations after school and into the summer. "At Trinity, we love our community and want to support the good work BASE does for kids and families." said Reverend Amy Waelchli. 

“We can not thank Trinity Lutheran Church enough. When we thought we would have to close our programs, they graciously allowed us to utilize their space so we could provide virtual learning support to kids who really needed it. Their additional donation allows us to continue all of our work into our after school & summer programs.” said Alicia Norris, BASE Executive Director. 

BASE is accepting new membership applications for after school and summer programs for kids who are 7 years old and attend one of the Fort Atkinson School District’s elementary schools. The organization operates after school from 3-6pm in the four public elementary schools and offers a full day, 10 week summer program. BASE is also open on early release days and select no school days.

BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram.

Our 2021 BASE Kid of the Year

Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) recently hosted their 5th Annual BASE Kid of the Year event. The event is traditionally held as an in person breakfast event but due to the pandemic was held virtually again in 2021.

Our 2021 candidates were Michael C., Jackson S., Madeline B., Kiera O., Jocelyn V., Dominic M., Carter K., and Ariana R. The eight candidates were nominated by their BASE staff and submitted a portfolio for a panel of six judges. This year the portfolios included pictures and answers to questions about the candidates and their connection to the 4 BASE program outcomes that inspire our youth; character development, wellness, enrichment & learning, and community involvement. The judges use a scoring matrix to rate each portfolio and the candidate with the highest number of points is named the BASE Kid of the Year.

The 2021 BASE Kid of the Year Award went to Jackson S from Purdy Elementary School! Congratulations to Jackson and all of our 2021 candidates. Jackson is in 3rd grade and is always smiling. “BASE is proud of Jackson and our 2021 candidates. You are an inspiration to all of us here at BASE and our greater community. We know you will accomplish great things!” said Melissa Willkomm,  BASE Director of Operations. 

PremierBank supports BASE with 2021 Corporate Sponsorship

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. – PremierBank is once again supporting Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) as a Corporate Sponsor in 2021. PremierBank has supported BASE for many years with corporate sponsorships, event sponsorships and providing volunteer(s) for programs and board volunteers. 

 According to Executive Director Alicia Norris, BASE will use the sponsorship to support their after school programming in the four public elementary schools and provide financial support for families for their summer program. "We value the dedication PremierBank has to our organization and the youth in our community. They continue to support our mission through donations & volunteerism and are a great partner to BASE.”

BASE currently has 70 registered members, 10 part-time staff members and two full-time staff. BASE has sites open at all four public elementary schools from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, on early release days and select no school days. BASE also offers a full summer wrap around program from 7:30am-5:00pm for 10 weeks. BASE offers a variety of activities, positive role models, and a safe environment for elementary school kids who are at least 7 years old. Registration is open to new members for their afterschool and summer programs.

BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram.

BASE Hosts Wings & Wheels as Drive Thru Event in 2021

 Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) is hosting their annual Wings & Wheels Breakfast on Sunday, June 6th from 8am-noon at the Fort Atkinson High School as a drive thru only event in 2021. “ To ensure the safety of our attendees, volunteers and greater community, we will be hosting this year’s breakfast as a drive thru only event. We look forward to having our community join us in 2021 and we hope to be back out at the airport in 2022 to continue hosting this terrific event” said BASE Executive Director, Alicia Norris.

The event is sponsored by Jones Dairy Farm and features a traditional country-style breakfast cooked by Jones Dairy Farm. On the menu, French toast, pure maple syrup, Jones sausage & canadian bacon, coffee, juice and milk. The cost for the breakfast is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 3-12 with children 2 and under eating free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or day of at the event.

The event will feature a vintage rides and new glides car show and a 50/50 cash raffle. BASE invites anyone interested with a unique vehicle to be part of the drive by car show in the high school parking lot.

Sponsorships are available for the event. Interested businesses can find all sponsorship information HERE. 

For more information on BASE special events and how you can become a sponsor, visit www.basefortatkinson.org/specialevents. Badgerland After School Enrichment Program, formerly the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Atkinson was established in 2005 to provide the children of Fort Atkinson a positive place for afterschool. BASE programs help young people find positive alternatives to negative influences, especially during the critical after-school hours from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. when juvenile crime doubles. BASE currently serves over 70 members who attend Purdy, Luther, Rockwell and Barrie Elementary School. BASE also provides full summer wrap around programming.  For more information on BASE and how to get involved, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, Like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram. 

# # #

FCCU Supports BASE with 2021 Corporate Donation

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. – Fort Community Credit Union recently presented Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) with a donation of $2,500 as part of their annual corporate sponsorship to the organization. FCCU has supported BASE for many years with corporate sponsorships, event sponsorships and providing volunteer(s) for programs and as board members.  

 According to Executive Director Alicia Norris, BASE will use the sponsorship to support youth during the critical hours school is out. "We appreciate the support of FCCU so we can continue to provide quality, affordable programs to kids & families in our community.”

BASE currently has 70 registered members, 12 part-time staff members and two full-time staff. The organization operates after school from 3-6pm in the four public elementary schools and offers a full summer wrap around program. Registration for after school and summer programs are open to kids who are at least 7 years old. 

BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram.

Spacesaver Supports BASE with 2021 Corporate Donation

Spacesaver recently made a $5,000 donation to Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) as part of their continued annual corporate sponsorship support. Spacesaver has supported BASE for many years with corporate sponsorships, event sponsorships and providing volunteer(s) for their board of directors, programs & special events. 

According to Executive Director Alicia Norris, BASE will use the sponsorship to support kids and families for their out of school time programs including their afterschool and summer programs. "We appreciate the continued support of Spacesaver so we can provide affordable out of school time support to kids and families in our community.” Said Alicia Norris. 

BASE is accepting new membership applications for after school and summer programs for kids who are 7 years old and attend one of the Fort Atkinson School District’s elementary schools. The organization operates after school from 3-6pm in the four public elementary schools and offers a full day, 10 week summer program. BASE is also open on early release days and select no school days.

BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram. 

From left to right, Alicia Norris BASE Executive Director, Hannah Bare Spacesaver Director of Storage Systems and BASE Board Chair, Anna Dresdow Director of Human Resources.

Nasco Give Away for Local Non-Profits & Community Groups

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. – Back in November, Nasco contacted Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) about some products they wanted to donate. When Executive Director Alicia Norris stopped to look she knew immediately there was an opportunity to support many community groups with the 18 pallets of items Nasco was looking to donate.

With the help of Nasco, BASE was able to coordinate a give away of the items to local groups including many non-profit organizations, churches, schools and youth groups. Items were free and the only requirement was they took items they could put to good use. After a successful first day, Nasco graciously donated another 7 pallets of items.

Items included arts & crafts supplies, home goods, science & math materials, books, trinkets and even a few fish tanks. Some items had minimal package damage or were excess so while Nasco can not sell them but they were usable & much needed items for community groups to support their program efforts.

“After a challenging year, this has been a wonderful opportunity to support groups who do such important work in our local communities. We appreciate Nasco for all the items and for all their help in coordinating the give away.” said Alicia Norris, BASE Executive Director

BASE offers after school programs from 3-6pm in the four public elementary schools and offers a full day, 10 week summer program. BASE is also open on early release days and select no school days.  BASE is accepting new membership applications for kids who are 7 years old for their after school program and summer program. BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram.

Ball Corporation Supports BASE

Ball Corporation recently made a $9,000 donation to Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) as part of their COVID-19 relief funding program. Ball Corporation has supported BASE for many years with corporate sponsorships, event sponsorships and providing volunteer(s) for programs & special events. 

According to Executive Director Alicia Norris, BASE will use the sponsorship to support kids and families for the remaining 2020-2021 school year. "We appreciate the support of Ball Corporation during this difficult time. Now more than ever, kids & families need support. With this generous donation, we will be able to provide affordable care for kids during the critical hours school is out for the remainder of the school year.”

BASE is accepting new membership applications for kids who are 7 years old and attend one of the Fort Atkinson School District’s elementary schools. Currently BASE has 60 registered members, 12 part-time staff members and two full-time staff for the 2019-2020 school year. The organization operates after school from 3-6pm in the four public elementary schools and offers a full day, 10 week summer program. BASE is also open on early release days and select no school days. 

BASE relies on donations from the community to keep the program accessible to all youth. For more information about BASE or to donate, visit www.basefortatkinson.org, follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram. 

Pictured Left to Right - Alicia Norris, BASE Executive Director; Hannah Bare, BASE Board of Directors Chair; Madeleine Neuens, Ball Corporation Human Resources Manager; Audrey Walsh, Ball Corporation EHS Leader